Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of improving flour by altering glutenin content in seeds of wheat and non-wheat plants. The invention relates to methods of introducing a recombinant construct comprising a glutenin gene into a parental plant.

Abstract: Methods and products useful to simultaneously control the root diseases caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis, Rhizoctonia, and Pythium in crops susceptible to these root diseases are described. These include a method to identify seed-treatment products for potential to simultaneously control the three kinds of root diseases; Bacillus strains having activity against the three kinds of root diseases and methods of obtaining the same, and compositions comprising a fungicide and a Bacillus strain having activity against the three kinds of root diseases, which compositions are useful for field control of the combination of the three kinds of root diseases.

Abstract: Starch-based microcellular foams composed of a solid matrix with a network of small open cells or pores are described. The foams have high pore volume, low density, and high surface area, and are prepared using a process wherein an aqueous gel prepared from gelatinized starch is treated to exchange the water in the gel with air while maintaining the integrity of the network of open cells or pores. The starch-based microcellular foams are particularly useful for encapsulation and later release of a substance.

Abstract: DNA sequences which function specifically in the synthesis of 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (Phl) are described. The sequences include phl genes which encode phl gene proteins and coding and regulatory sequences for production of Phl as well as sequences containing phl genes, which sequences have the capability of conferring or enhancing Phl biosynthetic capability in bacterial strains. The transformed strains are useful as biocontrol agents against fungal pathogens.

Abstract: A biologically pure culture of Pseudomonas putida NRRL B-30041 is described which is highly effective as a biological control agent against replant disease in tree fruits. The invention also encompasses methods of biologically controlling replant disease using the bacterium of the invention, and agricultural compositions which incorporate the strain.

Abstract: An improved artificial diet or growth medium for rearing entomophages (predatory arthropods and parasitic insects). The diet also finds use as a bait and feeding stimulant for entomophages, and as use as a supplement for artificial diets for phytophagous pests that also display some insect consumption. The growth medium is composed of a mixture of (a) an adherent, fibrous retention substrate, (b) a protein-lipid paste, and (c) a liquid, and provides nutrients in a stabilized form in amounts and proportions effective to support growth of entomophages. An exemplary formulation is a mixture of adherent, fibrous cooked whole egg, ground beef and beef liver protein-lipid paste, and water. The growth medium is suitable for mass production of entomophages at a reasonable cost for use as biological control agents, and is well suited for rearing entomophages that feed by the process of extra-oral digestion.

Abstract: A biologically pure culture of Erwinia herbicola NRRLB-21856 is described which is highly effective as a biological control agent against Erwinia amylovora, the cause of fire blight, the destructive disease of apples and pears. The invention also encompasses methods of biologically controlling fire blight disease using the bacterium of the invention, and agricultural compositions which incorporate the strain.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of improving flour by altering glutenin content in seeds of wheat and non-wheat plants. The invention relates to methods of introducing a recombinant construct comprising a glutenin gene into a parental plant.

Abstract: A method for the removal and rapid decomposition of halogenated fumigation agents is described. A fumigation agent, such as methyl bromide, contained in the gas stream exiting a fumigation chamber or structure is captured on activated carbon or other retentive substrate and rapidly decomposed using thiosulfate and water. The method provides an inexpensive, safe, and on-site executable way to remove and detoxify methyl bromide from fumigation discharge gases, thereby reducing or eliminating methyl bromide emissions into the atmosphere.

Abstract: Novel bioactive compounds which when applied to plants in bioregulatory amounts, enhance plant development responses, resulting in enhanced plant properties such as increased total biomass, increased yield, and increased plant quality. Some of the compounds increase the content of taxol and related taxanes in yew plants. One compound, 2-?diethylaminoethyl!-2-methylpropylether causes plants treated with the compound to have resistance to chewing insects. The compound 2-?diethylaminoethyl!-2-methyl-2-phenylpropylether causes plants treated with the compound to have resistance to sucking insects.

Abstract: Methods for separation of wheat flour into protein and starch fractions are described. Wheat flour is (1) mixed with water to hydrate the flour and form a cohesive batter or dough, (2) chilled, and (3) mixed and washed with chilled ethanol to separate it into protein and starch fractions. Wheat protein fractions that are equivalent in yield and protein concentration to fractions produced by water washing methods are obtained, while reducing water and energy use. The protein fraction showed improved dough strength.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns the use of monoclonal antibody ANAF16C1 and Anaplasma species major surface protein-5 in the competitive inhibition format for the serological identification of animals infected with Anaplasma species.

Abstract: A rapid screening procedure to select microorganism strains that produce a high proportion of alternan to dextan and a high proportion of alternansucrase to dextransucrase is described. Strains selected by the method are useful to produce a high proportion of alternansucrase to dextransucrase and to produce a high proportion of alternan to dextran, either fermentatively by cultivation of the strains on sucrose, or enzymatically by using alternansucrase produced by the strains of the invention. The selected strains can also be used to obtain microorganism strains having further improvements.

Abstract: Methods for detecting heat-stressed wheat, that is, wheat that has experienced elevated temperatures during the grain filling period, and methods to assess end-use properties of wheat grain are disclosed. In the method to detect heat-stressed wheat, wheat heat stress peptide in a sample of wheat grain or flour is measured. Wheat grain or flour that has a level of wheat heat stress peptide two or more times greater that the constitutive level is determined to have experienced elevated temperatures during the grain filling period. In the method to assess an end-use property of wheat, wheat heat stress peptide in a sample of wheat grain or flour is measured, and the level is compared to a calibration curve that correlates the level of wheat heat stress peptide and the end-use property.

Abstract: Improved, stable, germicidal, aqueous teat-dip compositions are disclosed, which include a film-forming agent selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethylcellulose, methyl hydroxypropylcellulose, and ethylhydroxyethylcellulose, a germicidal agent, preferably iodine complexed with a nonionic surfactant, and water to provide a solution having a viscosity of about 50 to 1000 cp. The liquid, aqueous compositions, when applied to the teats of agricultural animals, dry to form a continuous barrier film, which functions both as an effective anti-microbial agent and as an effective barrier at the mouth of the milk channel to prevent or reduce the incidence of mastitis.

Abstract: Methods to determine the geographic sources of soil samples are described. A biological fingerprint profile of the sample is determined. The profile is compared to a library which is constructed of datasets which relate biological profiles and geographic locations of soil samples. The invention provides a tool for identification of pollution sources of soil origin.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing limonoid glucosides that is superior in terms of industrial productivity is described. The method includes a step in which a raw material composed of citrus juice and/or molasses is passed through a flow passage equipped with an adsorbent having limonoid glucoside adsorptivity, after which the limonoid glucosides that have been adsorbed by the adsorbent in the flow passage are eluted into a solvent using a solvent capable of dissolving the limonoid glucosides, which yields a liquid containing limonoid glucosides.

Abstract: Novel bioactive compounds which when applied to plants in bioregulatory amounts, enhance plant development responses, resulting in enhanced plant properties such as increased total biomass, increased yield, and increased plant quality. Some of the compounds increase the content of taxol and related taxanes in yew plants. One compound, 2-?diethylaminoethyl!-2-methylpropylether causes plants treated with the compound to have resistance to chewing insects. The compound 2-?diethylaminoethyl!-2-methyl-2-phenylpropylether causes plants treated with the compound to have resistance to sucking insects.

Abstract: An object is sorted into different classes by producing a video image of the object. The signal level discontinuities in the image are evaluated by first deriving a video signal gradient of each pixel in the image. Then the number of pixels in three different signal gradient ranges are counted to produce count parameters which combined indicate the areas of differing contrast in the object. The count parameters are utilized in a pair of discriminate functions which define the two classes and solution of the discriminate functions are used to determine the probability that the object fits within one class. In response to the probability the object is directed along either a first path associated with one class or along a second path associated with the other class.

Abstract: A rapid screening procedure to select microorganism strains that produce a high proportion of alternan to dextran and a high proportion of alternansucrase to dextransucrase is described. Strains selected by the method are useful to produce a high proportion of alternansucrase to dextransucrase and to produce a high proportion of alternan to dextran, either fermentatively by cultivation of the strains on sucrose, or enzymatically by using alternansucrase produced by the strains of the invention. The selected strains can also be used to obtain microorganism strains having further improvements.